Lymphedema affects many women who undergo breast cancer treatment.

Red light therapy can help you find relief from this chronic and distressing condition.

Source: PlatinumLED Therapy Lights

What is light therapy?

In short, light therapy is a treatment which has been around for about 30 years. It’s the process of exposing skin to red, blue, green, cyan, yellow, orange/amber, purple, white, and near-infrared LED light which each have various skincare benefits.

What does light therapy do?

When used regularly, LED light therapy can be used to reduce breakouts, pigmentation, rosacea symptoms, bags under eyes, psoriasis and other side-effects of inflammation. If you don’t suffer from the above complaints, LED light therapy can simply help to improve the appearance of your face and neck (the first to show signs of aging).

RED: Is the anti-ager color of choice. Studies have shown it reduces fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to this, the body produces more collagen and elastin equating to healthier and younger looking skin. It can also improve overall facial texture and reduce scarring. This is the most common color users select and it’s often paired with Near Infrared (NIR) which is invisible to the human eye.

Benefits of Red-Light Therapy

The benefits of red-light therapy are an ongoing area of research, with new applications continuing to emerge. There are, however, several uses that are quite popular as this form of therapy has become more available.

Sleep

One of the more recently discovered beneficial aspects of red-light therapy is its ability to improve sleep quality. Exposure to red light has been shown to regulate melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleep, potentially improving the quality and duration of sleep. This can be particularly beneficial for those who struggle with irregular sleep patterns.

Muscle Recovery

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are increasingly turning to red light therapy for muscle recovery. Professional sports teams are starting to offer it to their athletes as a way to improve their edge.

The therapy is used to help reduce inflammation caused by activity and decrease muscle soreness post-exercise, thereby speeding up the recovery process. It is also used to help protect the muscles from damage during workouts, helping to improve stamina. These effects can allow for more efficient training and better performance over time.

Healing

Red light therapy’s first use was to accelerate the healing process of the body by enhancing cellular regeneration and increasing blood flow to the affected areas.

The increased energy stimulation red light therapy provides to cells is thought to improve how quickly cells replicate, accelerating the healing process. This makes it a potential tool for healing wounds, reducing scar tissue, and even aiding in the treatment of chronic conditions such as arthritis.

Hair Loss

Red light therapy has been found to stimulate hair follicles, promoting hair growth and increasing hair density. This non-invasive approach is becoming a popular alternative to traditional hair loss treatments. Red light therapy can be used for hair loss caused by medical conditions or by age-related changes.

Skin Health

Skin health applications are a rapidly growing area of red-light therapy use. The benefits that red light therapy can offer in the area of skin health are numerous. It is thought to stimulate collagen production, potentially helping in reducing signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines, and improves skin complexion. The increased healing speed red light therapy can provide can also cause blemishes and scars to heal more quickly, helping provide the skin with a more even and healthy appearance.

Red vs. NIR Light Therapy – Understanding the Differences

Red and infrared wavelengths, when used in combination, offer a comprehensive approach to holistic health and wellness. Each type of light therapy has its unique strengths, and together, they provide a synergistic effect that can address a wide range of health concerns.

Red Light

Red wavelengths are typically in the 630-660 nanometer range and primarily target the skin and superficial tissues. These wavelengths are more likely to be effective for skin-related conditions due to their ability to stimulate collagen production, an essential protein for maintaining skin elasticity and strength. This aspect of red light therapy makes it a popular choice for anti-aging treatments, helping to reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture, and promote a youthful complexion. Additionally, red light’s anti-inflammatory properties make it beneficial for skin-related applications, improving the structure and appearance of the skin.

Near-Infrared Light

The infrared wavelengths used in red light therapy are technically near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. This subset of infrared light is close to the visible spectrum but is not quite red light. NIR light is about 800-930 nanometers and is known to provide deeper tissue penetration. This quality allows NIR light to effectively reach muscles, joints, and even bones, making it an invaluable tool for addressing deeper musculoskeletal issues. 

For individuals experiencing chronic joint pain, deep muscle injuries, or those in recovery from intense physical activities, NIR light therapy can be particularly beneficial. It can help reduce inflammation and pain at a deeper level and enhance cellular energy production, thereby promoting faster healing and recovery of these deeper tissues.

Combined Effects

When combined, red and NIR light therapies offer a holistic treatment approach. The red light tends to work more on the surface, improving skin health and aiding in external healing, while NIR light penetrates deeper, addressing muscle and joint health and promoting internal healing. This combination ensures that both the external and internal aspects of health are addressed, making it a versatile and effective solution for a wide range of health and wellness goals.

Practical Considerations

Many red-light therapy panels use both red and NIR light, with users forced to resort to the combination of the specific panel they have purchased. Some panels, however, provide the option to control the specific wavelengths you use, enabling you more control over the sessions. There are some practical considerations when taking the differences between the two types of light into account. Here are some of the most important things to consider:

Visualization of the light when on – red-light is visible to the naked eye, while NIR light is not. This means that when your panel is on, you will see the red light but not the NIR light. It can seem strange initially; however, the NIR light is on even if you can’t see it.
Determining what works best – red-light therapy has worked well for many people, but there is still a lack of consensus on exactly how you should use it. This means that you may need to experiment with different light combinations to figure out what works best for you individually.

Using combined wavelengths – Biological reactions with light can be improved with multiple, similar wavelengths. This means that using two similar NIR wavelengths and two similar red wavelengths may be more effective than using one single wavelength at a time. Combining wavelengths, even if they are similar, can be more effective than relying on a single wavelength.

Beyond the practical considerations for red versus NIR light, there are some more general considerations to keep in mind when incorporating red light therapy into your wellness routine. Firstly, consistency is key. Regular sessions are necessary to achieve and maintain the desired results. Secondly, the quality of the light therapy device plays a significant role in the effectiveness of the treatment. High-quality panels ensure proper wavelength emission and penetration, which is crucial for achieving therapeutic benefits.